By Jack McNicholas

March 18, 2020

1. Cincinnati Bengals (2-14) : Joe Burrow, LSU, QB

Joe Burrow seems to be the locked-in No. 1 overall pick. He is from Ohio, he showed this past season that he is a pro level quarterback with a Heisman campaign, National Championship and an Undefeated season. It seems the Joe will be the Bengals quarterback next season. 

2.  Washington Redskins (3-13): Chase Young, Ohio State, EDGE

If the Redskins take the phone calls at this number two spot and move back to gain draft capital, that would be the only way I do not see Chase Young going here at number two. He is a once in a decade pass rusher. He wants to be the anchor of a defense and has that opportunity here. New Redskins head coach Ron Rivera will be glad to have such a talent join the team. If he doesn’t take calls for a trade.

TRADE! 

3. LA Chargers (5-11):Justin Herbert, Oregon, QB

(Traded in this scenario from DET)

The Chargers missed out on the Tom Brady Sweepstakes. They plan to have Tyrod Taylor being the starter for the season. I believe that they will make a move for a quarterback this year. They will not be starting this new era without a quarterback like Herbert. He is a big body quarterback who is ready for the NFL. He can use his athleticism in this offense with weapons such as Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The Chargers will trade up only two spots. The Lions get some capital and the Chargers get their guy in this draft up scenario. 

4. New York Giants (4-12):Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, LB/S

Dave Gettleman has voiced his opinion about moving back to gain more picks but in this mock draft I do not have any trades happening on the spot. The Giants go with the best player available. New Head Coach Joe Judge said that he wants to utilize all players to the best of their abilities. Simmons has the ability to do almost anything. He plays at least 100+ snaps at five different positions on the defense. The Giants made great moves for their defense in free agency. I believe they keep this trend going into the draft.    

5. Miami Dolphins (5-11) : Tua Tagovailoa , Alabama QB

With the first of three first round picks for the Miami Dolphins, they get their quarterback. Tua is a stud and with a good medical exam at the combine teams know that they have in the Alabama quarterback. Miami has spent the last season getting rid of players and building towards something new. With all of their draft picks and money to spend. They will be building around this pick throughout the rest of the draft. This will be the new man in Miami for the Dolphins. 

6. Detroit Lions (3-12-1) : Jeff Okudah, Ohio State, CB (Traded in this scenario from LA)

After seeing Lions head coach Matt Patricia took this week to bring many of his former Patriots defensive weapons to Detroit. Duron Harmon, Danny Shelton and Jamie Collins. One thing they did not address so far was the cornerback position. Jeff Okudah is a long and fast corner to help the Lions who already have a stud to cover opposing top options in Darius Slay. This defense would improve vastly. Okudah on the other side of the field of Slay seems almost too appealing here. I could also see the Chargers moving to this spot.

7. Carolina Panthers (5-11) : Derrick Brown, Auburn, IDL 

Derrick Brown will be the pick here for the Panthers. They have a philosophy to draft the highest player available. Derrick Brown is rated in many analysts top three prospects. Panthers also love to have a large defensive line to help their linebackers. This will be a great fit. With the signing of Teddy Bridgewater it will be interesting to see if they get him some offensive line help. Brown is just too good to pass up here at No. 7.

8. Arizona Cardinals (5-10-1): Meckhi Beckton, Louisville, OT

In my first mock draft I had Ceedee Lamb from Oklahoma coming to reunite with Kyler Murray. That would have been a treat. Even better the Cardinals made a trade in which they ridded of David Johnson in favor of new running back Kenyan Drake. They received Deandre Hopkins to now take the NO.1 Receiver spot. Beckton has a large frame and moves shockingly fast feet. This will be the perfect spot as he will protect the young quarterback which he desperately needed last season. 

 9. Jacksonville Jaguars (6-10): Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina, DT.

Jacksonville is sticking with Gardner Minshew and have gotten rid of almost all their stars. Calais Campbell was traded and Marcell Dareus was cut. What seemed line a crowded defensive line is now filled with holes. Javon Kinlaw will be the perfect spot here. As Jacksonville needs a pass russ. Losing Yannick Ngakoue, Dareus and Campbell means they must take the best defensive line option here at No. 9.

10. Cleveland Browns (6-10): Tristan Wirfs, Iowa, OT 

The Browns addressed offensive line needs with the signing of Jack Conklin on Monday. They go back to address this on the other side of the line and protect their quarterback Baker Mayfield. Protection was a problem last year. Willis is tackle but I believe he will be moved to guard. This will be great for him as he has the average height of a guard and the weight of a tackle.

11. New York Jets (7-9): Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama, OL

The offensive line was in need of some extra help last year as Leveon Bell struggled to gain yardage. Sam Darnold was pressured and hit many times. Wills Jr. is a great pass protector. He is fast and is very aware. The Jets could go for a receiver as they are in desperate need of one but this draft is loaded at that position. Right now they address the protection of their quarterback. His Alabama tape speaks for itself. I would not be shocked if they go after his college teammate Jerry Juedy either.

12. Las Vegas Raiders (7-9):CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma, WR. 

Las Vegas makes its first pick in their new city count. Lamb is exciting, he can run every route in the book. The ability to stretch the field with deep routes or even taking a five yard catch and taking it to the house. I love this pick as I feel that the Raiders can make a big leap here for their quarterback Derek Carr. Lamb will fit well in this offense and be a focal point in Las Vegas.

13. San Francisco 49ers (via IndianapolisColts (7-9)):K’Lavon Chaisson,LSU,EDGE

After a Super Bowl loss last month, the 49ers want to bounce back harder than ever. They traded Deforrest Buckner and aquirred this pick on Monday. The Colts have signed him to a deal of over 20 Million a year. The 49ers go and get his replacement here by getting a rookie defensive lineman for a cheaper salary as they have one of the best defensive fronts in the league. 

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9): Andrew Thomas, Georgia, OT

Tom Brady is coming to town. With that comes the responsibility to the 43-year-old quarterback to give him the best protection possible. Andrew Thomas out of Georgia will be here to help Brady. His large frame is what Tampa needs for their offensive line. I believe they will put him at the left tackle spot to protect the blindside. Tampa Bay gets the number one 

15. Denver Broncos (7-9):  Jerry Jeudy, Alabama, WR. 

This wide receiver class is stacked with talent. It is a questionable how a receiver with this talents goes down to the Broncos at 15. The truth is there are teams in the beginning taking the top players available and a trade for quarterbacks ripples the rest of the first round. Jerry Jeudy is a steal here for the Broncos as they have Jerry go on the opposite side of Courtland Sutton. This is a pick John Elway will be praised for. 

16. Atlanta Falcons(7-9): Kristian Fulton, LSU, CB

The Falcons cut former first round pick Desmond Truant this week. On top of releasing other defensive players. This year they will focus on the secondary and go with the best corner available to add to their defense that will be in a division with quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Teddy Bridgewater twice a year. Atlanta goes with Fulton and does not have to worry about an aging defender they get a young raw talent.

17. Dallas Cowboys (8-8) :C.J Henderson, Florida, CB.

Dallas let Byron Jones walk in free agency. They were able to retain Amari Cooper on a five year deal and will not need to address their pass catchers just year. C. J Henderson out of Florida is the Corner back that they need this year. Byron jones became the highest paid at the position on Monday as he signed with Miami. Dallas gets a cover corner who fits a needs and adds talent to the needy defensive secondary for the Cowboys. 

18. Miami Dolphins (From Pittsburgh (8-8)) : Deandre Swift, Georgia, RB.

Running backs going in the first round is a rarity. The Dolphins have three first rounders. They have yet to address the position in free agency despite signing Jordan Howard this week. This is usually a sign that if a team does not address the free agent market then they address running back need in the draft. Miami helps their young quarterback here by getting him strong, downhill runner in Swift.

19. Las Vegas Raiders (From Chicago (8-8)):Henry Ruggs III, Alabama, WR.

I think that the Raiders want to have Derek Carr succeed. In this draft scenario they are walking away with both first round picks being Wide Receivers. They do not have a lot of depth at this position and what a better way for them to become dynamic by walking away from the first round with two top playmakers in the draft. Riggs will join Lamb, tight end breakout Darren Waller and Josh Jacobs. Derek Carr and Jon Gruen walk away happy.

20. Jacksonville Jaguars (From LA Rams (9-7)): Trevon Diggs Alabama, Cornerback.

Trevon Diggs comes from a winning program, the Jaguars hope to take the step to becoming a winning team once again in 2020. They traded away both of their lock down cornerbacks this past season and that is why they have this second first round pick. I believe they use it on the best corner after addressing the defensive line earlier in Trevon Diggs. Diggs showed flashes of great coverage in both man and zone. Jaguars use many different looks and Diggs will be a great fit in Duval County.

21. Philadelphia Eagles (9-7)):  Justin Jefferson, LSU, Wide Receiver.

Jefferson snagged 18 touchdowns this year from potential No. 1 pick Joe Burrow. He had shown incredible flashes this year and can be a dangerous threat. The eagles need a wide receiver bad and will have to get the best Wide receiver that they can get. Justin Jefferson fits their scheme very well. I believe that he will bring his talents to Philly to help Carson Wentz who is in dire need of weapons. 

22. Minnesota Vikings (From Buffalo Bills (10-6)) : Ross Blacklock, NT, TCU

After the Vikings trade away Stephon Diggs, they do have a need at the wide receiver position. They also have a need at corner but Blacklock will help Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen on the front line. Linval Joseph departed for the Chargers and they find themselves in need of a nose tackle. It is not the biggest need but Blacklock has made a name for himself recently gaining a large buzz after a combine that showed his underrated athletic ability.

23. New England Patriots (12-4): Jordan Love, Utah State, QB

Tom Brady is no longer on the Patriots for the first time since 2000. The team does not seem to have a plan in place for a new successor long term. This is a great option for the Patriots as they have a chance to get some raw talent in Jordan Love. After a stellar junior season Jordan love lost almost his entire offensive personnel. This made his numbers take a hit but he is a pro ready quarterback. He is someone to keep an eye on as free agency continues and New England has yet to show a plan of action for their quarterback of the future.

24. New Orleans Saints (13-3):Grant Delpit, LSU, S 

This has not changed for me since my first mock draft. I believe that Delpit will fall to the mid 20s and New Orleans got a close looks when Delpit won the national championship in new Orleans with LSU this year. I believe with the aquisiton of Malcom Jenkins they will love to have a young safety that Sean Payton can put anywhere on his defense.

25. Minnesota Vikings (10-6): Jaylon Johnson, Utah

Johnson has been seen as an early second round pick. He plays against the best receiver each week at Utah. His confidence is through the roof. He is the best player at the position available. This would be a steal since his college system is very much like the Vikings defensive scheme. I could see the Vikings making a move for Xavier McKinney but they need to use this pick on a corner. Here they go for the top corner remaining here in Johnson. 

26. Miami Dolphins (From Texans (10-6)): Xavier McKinney, Alabama, S.

McKinney is a stud. He plays safety and has the ability to cover in the slot. He creates turnovers and does not fear to cover over the top. Miami let star safety leave in what was a garage sale of a season for them. They get the best saftey available. This way they don’t spend the third of their three first rounder’s all on offense. At 26 they go and get themselves a defensive playmaker.

27. Seattle Seahawks (11-5): Patrick Queen, LSU, Linebacker.

Seattle has a talented linebacker core, with Bobby Wagner and K.J Wright. They do need a young linebacker who can play in the middle and pass rush off the edge. Queen is a fast linebacker with great awareness. Queen did not get many looks until this past season when LSU was the best team in college football. Seattle loves to bring in athletes and winners. Queen is both and will be my pick here at 27.

28.  Baltimore Ravens (14-2): Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma.

Kenneth Murray will be the linebacker that C.J Mosley was for this Ravens team in years past. His whole life he has based his game off of Ray Lewis. Even watching his highlights before every college game. Not to get caught up in the emotional part of this Murray is a hard hitter and faster than you would expect for his size. He showed great flashes of talent at Oklahoma.  Now hell do the same in Baltimore next season.

29. Tennessee Titans (9-7): Neville Gallimore,  Oklahoma IDL.

Gallimore was my pick for the Titans in my first mock. I believe with their position in the draft, the need for this after trading away Jurrell Casey in the free agency frenzy. They need a run stopper and Neville will show the Titans he can fill that hole for them. He is a force to be wreckoned with.

30. Green Bay Packers (13-3): Zach Braun, Wisconsin, LB.

Braun has shot up draft boards in recent weeks as his tape speaks for itself. Wisconsin has produced solid linebackers and I believe putting him next to Jake Ryan In Green Bay would be the best option for him. As Blake Martinez the starter for the Packers for three years is now with the Giants. They have a need at linebacker and Braun is coming from just down the road.

31. San Fransisco 49ers(13-3): Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado, WR.

Laviska falls here in a crowded class of wide receivers but goes to the right team here. The 49ers are coming off of a Super Bowl berth. They have a need to win now. Emmanuel Sanders who was traded to San Francisco last year is departing in free agency. They need to address the top Wide Receiver. Here they get a big body wide receiver who will be Jimmy Garappolo’s favorite red-zone target for years to come.

32. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4): A.J Epenesa, Iowa, EDGE:

After a rough combine, Epenesa Falls in my latest mock here. Not to worry he will go to the right team here. Kansas City wants to improve their pass rush this offseason and this will be the best way to do it. A.J will have less pressure and will be able to learn from the front seven around him. The front seven that just helped win a Super Bowl Championship.